Stacker or loader



Dec. Z9, 1936.l A. T. FAY, JR 2,055,673

sTAcKER oR LOADER i Filed July 25, 1952 5 sheets-sneer 1 Dec. 29, 1936A, T FAY, JR k2,065,673

Y y STACKER OR LOADER Filed July 25, 1952 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m S L Dec.29, 1936. A. T. FAY, JR 2,065,673

sTAcKEB oRLoADER Filed rJuly 25. 1932 5 sheets-sheet 4 Y a ft,

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 29, 193s. A. T FM, JR y 2,065,673

STACKER 0R LOADER Filed July 25, 1932 5Sheets-Sheet 5.

\ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 29, 1936\ PATENT oFFicE STACKER QR LOADER Albert ThorntonFay,

Jr., Portland, Oreg.;

Pauline Fay, administratrix of said Albert Thornton Fay, Jr.,

deceased, assignor to Moore Dry Kiln Company of Oregon, North Portland,Oreg., a corporation Application July 25,1932, Serial No. 624,521

782` Claims.

My`invention relates to improvements in stackers or loaders and in theart of stacking or loadmg materials, such, for example, as lumber.

' An object of my invention is to provide a novel stacking machine,simpler in construction and operation than other machines used for asimilar purpose,

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel machine whichstacks or loads materials, for example, such as lumber on kiln trucks,cars, buggies, or bunks, one tier at a time employing an inclined skidto aid in putting each tier on the stock load.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel loading skid, for astacker or loader, with means for eiective reciproation of the saidloading skid in which the skid retracts from under a tier of materialresting on it and evens one side of the load.

Another object of my inventionisto provide a novel rake means, which maycooperate with the loading skid to rake a tier of lumber, for example,tail vthe loading skids onto a stock load one at a y Another object ofmy invention is to provide a novel mechanism for controlling themovement of the loading skid in the stacking operation. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide 'a novel method and a noveland more .eiiicient manner of stacking materials with a novel method ofcontrol.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel and compact stackerfor lumber comprising an inclined apron, and an inclined skid whichreciprocates underneath the apron and above a stock load beyond thelateral limits of the load, providing an operatorsplatform at one sideof the stacker for its operation and forrthe placing of stickers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel means to evenup-the two sides of I a stock load. d

What constitutes my invention will be herein-v after specified in detailand succinctly defined in the appended claims. y

The accompanying drawings wherein my in vention is illustrated inpresent preferred form of embodiment- Figure I is a transverse verticalsection of one of my. stackers illustrating the loading skid partiallyretracted and also indicating vthe loading skid above the stock load.

Figure II is a partial plan view of FigureI.

Figure III is a longitudinal vertical section taken along the linesIII--IIIof AFigure I.

Figure IV is a front elevation of VFigures I and II.

Figure V is a diagrammatic electrical wiring diagram indicating acontrol system for the operation of my stacker.

Figure VI is a partial diagrammatic electrical Wiring diagramillustrating a delay circuit for the control of the reciprocable loadingskid:

In mystacker material such as lumber, for example, may be supplieddirectly. preferably by l0 gravity, to the retractable loading skid whenit is in, position above the stock load. It is by the retraction of theloading skid that the tier of lumber is laid on the lStock load. Rakemeans, -or its equivalent may be provided at one edge of the stock loadto aid in causing'the tier of lumber to be deposited on the stock loadduring the backward travel ofthe loading skid, and to aid in evening theedge of the tiers on both sides of the stock load. f

- My stacker or loader is preferably used to stack or build up a stockload on an elevator, and also may be fed from any supply of material,for example, one maintained at a constant level by a hoist.

In the following description of the stacker and its operation reference.is made to the stacking of lumber. It is to be understood, however, thatthis reference is for illustration only and the stacker may be employedfor stacking other materials than lumber; and that the stacker' may beemployed for stacking or loading materials with stickers between layers,or-solid loads without stickers.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings- I indicates a stock load oflumber being stacked; 2 stickers providing spaces between tiers, and 3 atier of. lumber or other material being stacked on the stock load I'.

'Ihe stacker proper may comprise an apron o 4, astop 5, and aretractable or reciprocable loading skid Aii, with appropriate mechanismfor their operation. f

The apron 4l may be in an inclined position steep enough for a tier oflumber to slide on' it, 45 preferably supported by any suitable' meansas by the hoist skids 8l, and the extension posts 51, above the beam 56supported by the elevator posts 6|. The apron 4 serves fo'raccumulationand measuring of the tier of liunber 1, ready to be stacked. In somecases the apron may be level and have means on it for conveying thetier. from it, instead of allowing it to side of! by gravity. y r

I preferably provide a'stop' 5 at vone edge of 55 the apron 4, whichdivides the surface of the apron from the surface of the loading skidwhen it is positioned above the stock load. 'I'he stop 8 may be loweredand raised by any lsuitable means as, for example, manually by themovement of the lever 8 fulcrumed on the shaft 8. The stop may belowered to release a tier of material to be loaded from the apron 4 tothe loading skid 8, by pulling the lever handle 8. The connecting rod I8 connects the lever 8 with a lever arm |I mounted on the shaft I2, towhich lever arms I3 are attached, each of whichis connected byconnecting rods` I4, orother suit-y able means, to a series of stops 8,which may have their movement ldirected by the spaced guides i8, or anysuitable guide means which may be mounted, for exampleVat one side ofthestock load I, `on the longitudinal beams I8.. The guides I8, also mayserve as a rake meansy for the tier of lumber 1, during the backwardmovement of the loading skid8. One or more suitable counterweights I1,'preferably on a lever arm I8 fulcrumed preferably on the shaft I2, areadjustable to raise the `stop. 8 automatically in the desired manner tothe upward position above and at one edge of the apron '4, when theoperator releases the hand lever 8. It is understood that any well knownmeans suitable for the purpose may be employed instead of the mechanismdescribed above.

Below the apron 4 is a reciprocable loading skid 8, the top surface ofwhich is an extension or' the surface of the apron 4 when the skid 8 ispositioned in the extreme forwardposition of travel above the stock loadThe skid 8 may comprise a plurality of frames having askid surface or'having gravity rolls to aid in discharging material therefrom. Eachframe or skid arm may comprise the struts I8, and the chords 28 and 2|.The loading skid frames operate together and may be joined together asone unit to form the skid 8, by means ,of the transverse members 1|, 12and 13. Each loading skid frame is preferably guided by shoes or bearingmembers 22 and 23, attached respectively in any suitable manner to thetop and bottom portions of the loading skid, and preferably on memberssuch as the chords 20 and 2|. The shoes 22 and 23 are preferablyprovided with tongues, or other suitable means 24 and 28 respectively,controlled by the loading skid guide members 28 and 21, for guiding themovement of loading skid frames in their reciprocating motion. Theloading skid guide members 28 and 21may be structural members, or othermeans, which guide the .movement of the top and bottom membersrespectively of each loading skid frame on its forward and backwardAmovement. guide members 28 may be supported at one end by the beam 28and at the other end by the extension posts 81. The loading skid guidemembers 21 may be supported .at one end by the beam 29 and at the otherend by the beam 88 which is attached to the elevator post 8|. 'I'heloading skid tongues 24 and 28 may have a closely l operative fit in theguide members 28 and 21 which control the horizontal reciprocatingmovement of theloading skid; however, in some installations particularlyfor .loading solid stacked loads of lumber, for example,.I preferablyrprovide some vertical movement of the nose 30 Yof each of theloadingskid frames so that the loading skid will conform to the level ofthe top of the stock load. 'I'he nose 38 preferably has a roller orrunner means 32 near its end, which preferably provided with a Theloading skid' allows it to ride on the top of the stockv loads I, thusmaintaining` a fairly constant space between the end of the loading skidand the top of the stock load. regardless of irregularity in the topsurface of the stock load. The runner or roller 32, for example, mayroll on the exten-- sion .33 of the guide member 21 beyond the stockload in the backward travel of the loading lback against the stop guides|8, or vthe sticker guidesv when the stop guides I8 are not in use.'I'his evens the alignment of the tiers on one side of the load andinYso doing actuates the trigger 88 which controls the operationof theswitch for lowering the elevator.

The loading skid is preferably attached or otherwise operativelyconnected to a reciprocating member, for example, to a chain 38, by pin8|,l in the special connecting link 82. 'Ihe chain 38' is enmeshed withthe sprockets 38 and 31, the sprocket 38 being operatively connected toa source of driving power. The chain 38 is preferably provided with alug 38, illustrated on the bottom run and which, when the stacker is inoperation, may move between two limit switches 39 and 40, spaced toautomatically limit the travel of the loading skid. T'he reciprocationlof the loading skid may be operated manually or automatically,mechanically or electrically.

In one plan of operation, when the loading skid is moving forward, thelug 38 reaches limit switch 40, tripsl the trigger |22, breaks thecircuit and automatically stops the motor or other means 44, drivingthe'chain 38, stopping the loading skid inl the forward position.'v

After a tier of lumber which may vary in width is released onto the skid8, which is in the forward position, by the operator, the latter thenpresses the push button 42, which operates the contactor 48-A throughthe circuit from one side of the linev (LI), through the OL contacts,the stop button 43, the push button 42, the contacts 83-C of the limitswitch 83, the contacts 39, and thecontactor 4 A of the reversing linestarter 48, to the other side of the line (L2). This closes thecontacter 48-A to energize the motor 44 to run the skid 8 backward, andalso closes the auxiliary contact 48-A-I on the contactor IIS- A, whichis closed when the contactor 48-A is closed, so as to maintain the abovecircuit, except that it is now through the auxiliary contact 48-A-Iinstead of through the push button 42, allowing the push button 42 to bereleased. -When the loading skid moves backward, the lug 38 reaches thelimit switch 38, trips the'trigger |23, breaks the circuit andautomatically stops the chain 38 with the loading skid in the backposition. The chain 38 can be restarted in either direction of movement,either forward or reverse, by the starter push buttons 4I and 42,respectively, which control the operation of the motor 44 through asuitable reversing receiving electrical energy through lines 4 8 from apower source not shown. The push button 4| may be used to start theforward movement of line starter 48,

the loading skid. The stop button 43 stops the movement of the loadingskid at any position at will. Thevpush buttons 4I, 42 and 43 may bemounted on the operators platform 92.`

The shafts 41 and 48 on which the sprockets 36 and 31 respectively aremounted, may be rov tated by any suitable means, such as the motor 44,by means of a reduction gear unit 49 anda chain drive 50.

'I'he shafts 41 and 48 are supported by suitable bearings 93 and 94respectively, mounted on the guide members 21, Suitable brackets |I5 andH6 attached to the beams 29 and 56 respectively, may be provided for theattachment vof the limit switches 39 and 48, which may control theoperation of the loading skid.

In some cases I preferably employ the switch 39 as an emergency limitswitch only, instead of as a stopping switch for each cycle of.movementof the loading skid. The limit switch 39, in this case, is setto operate the motor 44 only after the limit switch 53 has failed tofunction. In this oase, as illustrated in Figure V, when the loadingskid moves to the fullbackward position, before the lugv 38 strikesthetrigger |23, the last board of the tier being dropped on the stockload I, operates the limit switch 53, to open the contact 53-Cnormallyclosed, but opened when 5 3 is operated, and also opens thecontrol circuit of the motor 44 and insures that the motor 44 will notoperate until the stock load has been lowered and the trigger 55 of thelimit switch 53, has been cleared. At the same time the contact 53-C isopened, contacts 53-B and 53-D, which are normally open, are closed. The

limit switch 53 is mounted on any suitable support above the stock load,as, for example, on the bracket 95 on the beam I6.

As soon as the contacts 53-B close, the circuit is closed, in order tolower the platform 68, 'to the contactor '1S-A from LI through theoverload relay, OL contacts, the stop button 98, the contacts 53-B, thecontactor 18-A, to L2. The contactor 18-A closes its contacts, whichenergize the elevator motor 66 to lower the stock load y until the lastboard of the tier 3, is lowered below and releases the trigger 55 of thelimit switch 53,

and again close the contact 53-C, and openthe contacts 53-'B and 53-D.Opening the contact 53-B stops the motor 66 and the platform 68.i

AAssoon as the contacts 53D are closed, the

' control circuit is set up to operate the motor to move the skid 6forwardf; by energizing the contactor 45-B through OL, the push button43, the contacts of the limit switch 48, the contacts 53D, the auxiliaryholding coil 45--B to the. other side of the line L2. When the lug 38 onthe chain strikes the trigger |22 on the limit switch 4l), the circuitis opened to stop the motor 44. The skid 6 is stopped in the extremeforwardv position. The contactor 45-B is held in contact by theauxiliary contacts 45-B--I on the contacter 45B, after the contacts 53-Dare opened. 'I'he stacking skid 6 remains in the forward position untilthe operator releases a new tier of boards and again presses 4the button42. The stop push buttons 43 and 98 and the push button 95 areemployed-to raise the elevator only for non-automatic operation of thestacker. The push button 99 is a reset button for the stop button 98. l

The stock load I may be stacked or loaded on any suitable platform, butI preferably provide elevating means represented by an elevator or lift,comprising a platform 68 suspended from the drums 64 are preferablykeyed on the shaft 66. which is rotated by the motor 66 through Vasuitable speed reduction unit 61, by means of a chain `drive 5 8. brake|24 to stop the movement of the elevator platform 68 quickly and hold itstationary when the motor 66-is not in operation; The elevator may belowered as the successive tiers of lumber, or other material is stackedupon the stock load l by an automatic upper limit switch 53, operated bythe last board in each tier of stock. When the last board is vpulledback to even the side of the stock load, it strikes and actuates theswitch 53 to start the motor 66, to lower the elevator platform 68,until the limit switch 53 is released by the loweringof said tier belowit. The elevator preferably reaches the bottom of travel after the stockload is fullystacked, when the lug |88,

mounted on the platform' 68, strikes the trigger I0! of the lower limitswitch A54. vstops the elei vator automatically. The position of thelower limit switch vispreferably low enough to permit the stickers 2,-to clear the sticker guides 69, and

18, so that the stock load may then be discharged for stacking anotherstock load. The push but-` ton 91 makes a circuit to actuate the switch18,

to start the motor 66, to raise the platform 68.

I preferably provide an emergency stop 98, with reset button 99, for theelevator, which is an electrical push button and may be used at will tostop the elevator at any time or at any position.

The stock load l is preferably stacked on suitable bunks 15 mounted ontrucks 16, which roll on the track rails 11, which are on the platformThe motor 66 isprovided with a suitable 68, and connect with trackswhich extend to the kilns, for example.

The elevator, or other means for maintaining the platform 68 at thestackinglevel, may be of any well-known construction suitable for thepur'- pose.

The main elevator supporting structure may also be used as a support forthe stacker proper.`

Thelmain frame preferably comprises verticalv posts 6I at four"`cornerssupporting a horizontal frame comprising, transverse beams 61, andlongitudinal beams I6. and 68, which may also support sticker guides 69and 18, and the limit switches 53 and 59.,

I also preferably provide a hoist for aid in l feeding boards; forexample, from a solid stacked package 80 of lumber, which may be raisedor lowered to maintain the top of the package of lumber atthe breakingdown position to be fed to the stacker. It is understood that this hoistis not necessarily an essential part of the stacker, but offers oneconvenient .method for supplying lumber to the stacker. Any suitablemethod, such as supply chains, incline transfers, etc., may be used forthe purpose of bringing the lumber or material to the stacker or loaderin units as shown, or bringing boards individually. .The hoist. however,may be supported by the hoist skidsv 8| and suitably driven by anelectric motor 82, by means of a reduction gear 83, a chain drive 84, adriven shaft 85, mounted in bearings 98, and having a drum 86, to whicha cable 81, or other suitable means is attached, and is passed over thesheave 88 mounted at the top of the hoist skids 8|, and passed down, andis connected to the hoist platform 89, in such a way that by rotation ofthe shaft 85, the cable 81 is wound up on the drum 86, and the hoistplatform 89 is raised, as illustrated in Figure I. When the motor isreversed, the reversal of the rotation of the shaft 85 permits the cableto unwind, thus lowering the hoist platform 89. The

brake 19 of any usual design, stops the motor 82 when the circuit to themotor is broken.

The hoist skids 8| may be a part of the supporting structure for thestacker as indicated in Figure I.

I preferably provide means for evening the side of the stock load on theside from which-lumber, for example, is supplied to the stacker. Thismeans' is preferably a pullbaek arm extension 34,

on the loading skids 6, which pulls the last board of eachtier'deposited on the stock load back to Athe edge of the stock loadagainst the sticker guides 10, or the rake means I5, in line with thetiers of lumber stacked previously. An advantage of this arrangement isthe necessity Vof `using greater length of travel for the loading skidwhich would permit an interval of time and a greater length of movementfor the loading skid,'for the placing of stickers by the operator or themanipulation of the controls of the stacker when they are needed.

The rake means ls is preferably 'the m11 heightof the loading skid andmay be used to even the edge of the load, to rake the tier off of theloading skid or both.

In some cases the steepness of the loading skid is such that a tiertends to slide on it, and during the retraction of the loading skid, thesaid tier slides 01T onto the top of the stock load. The pull` back arm34 pulls the last board in each tier against the sticker guides 10.

'I'he length of the loading skid and its length of travel may be variedat will to suit diiferent width stock loads and also to vary the lengthsof time for the placing of the stickers from any suitable source ofsupply on the stock loads.

I preferably provide sticker guides 10 on the side of the load havingthe rake means i5, both of which are substantially the same height.These sticker guides are preferably shaped like a channel, facing theload, and have their flanges flared so that they are further apart atthe top. For example, when the ward, the operator can then placestickers on the top of the tier 1, while it is still on the loading skidand before it is laid on the stock load l. By placing the stickers intheir approximate position, the stickers will be lowered as the tier islowered on the.stock load, and their ends will be guided to their properlocation on the stock load, due tothe downwardly narrowing anges of thesticker guides.

The sticker guidesY 69 and 10 are not used when loads are stackedwithout stickers, however, in this case, they may be used as stops toeven the side edges of the loads. l

I preferably provide electrically operated brakes |24 on the motors forthe elevator, the hoist and the stacker, which, when the motors areener'- gized, the brakes are released, and when the electrical currentis cut off oi.' the motors, the brakes are set to stop the rotation ofthe -motors respectively, almost immediately.'

In some cases I preferably provide other delay means for reversing themovement of the loading loading skids start back-- stopping of the chain35 and a reversal oi.' its` movement.

'I'he delay mercury switch |40 comprises a mercury tube such as forexample, the tube |4| mounted on an arm |42 which is pivoted on a pin|43. The mercury tube 4| is shown as a V shaped tube, but a straighttube may be used i1' desired, The mercury tube |4| is provided with arestricted opening |44 connecting two chambers, 45 and |46. Chamber |45is equipped with two electrodes |41. The lmercury tube 4| is partiallyllecl with mercury |48. Flexible wires |56 connect the outer ends of theelectrodes |41 to terminals |49. The operation of the delay mercuryswitch is as follows: When the lug 38 on the chain 35 contacts thetrigger |23 on the limit switch |3|, the contacts 3.9-.B are opened toimmediately stop the motor, with the skid in the back- Ward position.The mercury tube |4| of the delay mercury switch |40, is tilted to theposition indicated by dotted lines. This tilting of the tube |4| isaccomplished bymeans of a lever |5 on the limit switch |3|, connected bythe pin |52, the link |53, the pin |54, to the arm |55 of the mercuryswitch |40. When the mercury tube |4| is .tilted to the positionindicated by dotted lines, the mercury |48 ilows through the restrictedopening |44 from the chamber |46 into chamber |45 at a predeterminedrate of speed regulated by the size of the restricted opening |44. Thelevel of the mercury in the chamber 45, gradually rises and makesanelectrical contact across the electrodes |41, setting up an electricalcircuit from one side of the line Ll through OL, the stop button 43,'thecontact of the limit switch 40, through the electrodes |41 of themercury switch |40, through the'contactors 45--B to the other side ofthe line L2, starting the motor 44 to move the skid 6 forward, after apredetermined delay. The amount of delay may be regulated by the sizeand mercury capacity of the chambers |45 and |46.

As the skid 6 moves forward, the lug 38 on the chain 35, releases thetrigger |23 on the limit switch |3|, and the mercurytube |4| is allowed-to return to its normal position under the influence of the spring |50,and the mercury |48 in the chamber4 |45, returns to the chamber |46byfgravity. The contactorf 45-B is held in contact by theauxiliarycontactors 45-B-l, after the circuit across the electrodes |41is broken.

It is understood that the incline position of the apron 4, vand thedegree of declination of the loading arms 6, may be varied at will. Theyare shown to provide a sliding angle in the apron 4-that is, at an angleat which lumber will slide oil easily onto the loading skids 6.

In some ofmy stackers I preferably eliminate the break-down hoist andfeed the stacker by a ,628,666. Since i t will not be necessary for thelumber-tier 1 to slide thereon'into position above the stock load themovement of the chain s'upplying the sheet of lumber may thus beoperated vand controlled by the hand lever 8. When the supply chains aremoving, the sheet of lumber would be moved into position along the.supply chains, the apron, and the loading skid.

lses

" ,60, until the trigger 55 a' suitable brake |24, preferably thestacking skid may v releases the brake lumber to my stacker. When thisdesign is used,

I preferably employ an overhead stop mechanism. and a mechanism forsegregating tiers of lumber to be stacked on the stock load, asdescribed in my application Serial No. 628,666.

I preferably provide any suitable means forl evening one end of thelumber to be stacked, for example, I show an adjustable guide whichparallels the movement of the lumber on the apron 4. It is preferablyadjustable to provide for different length of lumber to be stacked andserves to even up one end of the lumber. It is understood that anywell-known or suitable means may be provided for this purpose.

Stickers may be placed on the stock loads when desired, in any mannerpreferable.

Figure I illustrates the loading skid partly retracted, while the dottedportion indicates the skid in the extreme forward position.

The operation of my stacker may be as follows: Lumber may be supplied inpackages and broken down from a hoist to provide a sheet of lumber,which may be deposited directly on the loading skid 6, or on the apronl4, in which case it may be stopped by the stops 5, in position at oneedge of theapron 4. By manual control of the lever 8, or other controlthe stops 5 may be made to recede below the surface ofthe apron 4, andbelow the lumber tier accumulated thereon. The tierv therefore will moveforward by gravity, or other means, until it strikes the tierstop, orsticker guides 59, which evens this side of the stock load. The operatormay then release the lever 8 to allow stops 5 to be raised automaticallyby the counterweight |1, and catch the following tier of lumber. Theoperator may actate the control button 42, unless the trigger 14 of thelimit switch 59,`mnunted on the tierstop 59, is tripped, each of whichoperations may make the circuit to start the motor 44,. to cause the toprun of the chain 35, to move backwards. and to draw the loading skid 5and the pull-back arms 34 backward with it. As the loading skidretracts, the tier of lumber 'l at its upper edge may strike against thefront side of the stop guides forming the rake means'l5, so that theloading skid is withdrawn from beneath the tier of lumber 1, depositingit upon the stock load I.` The pullback arms 34 pull the last board, orboards, forl example, back against the sticker guides 10, to even thisside of the stock load. This last board strikes the triggerg55 andactuates the upper limit switch 53, makin'g'the electrical cir'cuit tolower the elevator platform of the switch 53 isreleased to close thecontact 53-C, to move the loading skid i forward, and open the contacts53-B and 53-D, to stop the elevator platform 50.

If automatic reciprocation of the loading skid is not desired, the lug38 on the chain 35, may engage the trigger |23, breaking the circuit tothe limit switch 39, stopping the motor 44, and the stacking skid 6, atthe backward limit of its travel. The momentum of travel is retarded byof any usual design, electrically operated on the motor 44.

In this latter case, the forward movement of or by the actuation of thecontrol button 4|, which controls the reversing line starter 45, and,makes the electrical circuit which automatically the surface of saidskid be started automatically,

|24 and starts the motor 44, causing the chain 6, forward until 'the lug38,V on chain 35, trips the trigger' |22, opening the limit `switch 40,breaking the electrical circuit to the reversing line starter 45, whichin turn breaks the electrical current to the motor 44, stopping themovement of the sta/cking skid 5 at the forward -position of travel. Themomentum of the loading skid is stopped by the brake |24, by thebreaking of the electrical circuit operating the motor 44.

Stickers 2, may be placed on -the stock load at suitable intervals inthe sticker guides 69 and lo, when the stock loads 'are stacked fordrying. Stock loads may be stacked without stickers for other purposesthan for drying.

After the stock load is fully stacked, it may be guides and the loadremoved. Therplatform 50 may be automatically stopped at its bottomlimit of travel by lug 56. New trucks and bunks may the push button 96.

It is understood that this invention is not limited to the exact designand form illustrated and described. Modifications of the principlesherein described, and mechanical equivalents are selfevident to thoseskilled in the art; therefore, it is to be understood that the inventionincludes 35 to move the stacking skid usl `lowered so that the topis,clear of the sticker K |00, striking the trigger of the lower limitswitch 54, stopping the motor be set up and the elevator platform may beraised by actuating within its scope whatever changes fairly comeV vwithin either the terms or the spirit of the appended claims'.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a stacker the combination with a reciprocable inclined loadingskid, an elevator having a platform, said skid being above and to oneside of the elevator platform which is adapted to hold a stock load, anapron having a top surface as an extension of and at'a different inclinethan when the latter is above said platform, the apron surface beingabove said skid whenthe latter is to one side of said platform, a stopmeans at the lower edge of said Vthereof above a stock load, an elevatoroperaequpped vto maintain the` tively mounted and top of said stock loadat substantially a predetermined stacking level, means for releasing thetier from said supply means to said skid when said skid is above saidstock load, stop members on Aeach side of said stock load, and means-for actuating reciprocation of said skid under said supply meanswherebysaid tier is stacked within lateral limits on said stock load.

El.r In a stacker the combination of inclined supply means for a tier,an inclined, skid reciprocable beneath said supply means and to one sidethereof above a stock load. an elevator operatively mounted and equippedto maintain the top of said stock load at substantially a predeterminedstacking level, means for releasing the tier from said supply meanstosaid skid when I apron adapted to hold a tier of material on said v ingsaid tier ori said load, evening one edge of 'a substantially constantstacking level for saidl being responsive to the v stock load, stopssaid skid is above said stock load,means for actuating reciprocation ofsaid skid under said `Asupply means, said tier release means alsofunctioningas a rake means for raking said tier from said skid to thetop of said stock load.

4. In astacker, an inclined stacking skid comprising a plurality of skidarms, an extension at Athe lower end of a plurality of said skid arms.guide members for a substantially horizontal reciprocating movement ofsaid skid and said extension thereof above and to one side of aextending above said skid extensions dening lateral load 1imitsmeans forplacing a tier of material on said skid, means for reciprocating saidskid, thereby placing said tier on said load and evening the edges ofsaid tier.

5. In a stacker, an inclined stacking skid comprising a plurality ofskid arms, a substantially horizontal extension at the lower end of aplurality of said skid arms, guide members for a substantiallyhorizontal reciprocating movementof said -skid and said extensionthereof above and to one side of a stock load, means for'maintainingload, stops ing above A y positioned above said stock load to determinethe lateral limits of the load, a trigger -of a switch in front' of oneof said stops for actuating said load level maintaining means saidtrigger independent of said skids and extendboard of eachtier stacked onsaid stock load,

v40ing skid above said horizontal frame,'an elevator reciprocating saidskid,

vsaid tier and'actuating said load level maintaining means.

6. A stacker comprising ak horizontal frame supported .by a main frame,a reciprocable loadplatform within said main frame,'said skid having asubstantially constant level 65 ing a sloping top surface, sticker guidemeans on two sides of said horizontal frame bounding the by a tier,means for reciprocating said skid from above said stock load, wherebymaterial deposited on said skid is stacked on the top of said stock loadwith the aid of gravity.

7. A stacker comprising a main frame, a horizontal frame thereon, anoperators platform at one side of said horizontal frame, an elevatorators platform,\

to make the stock load,l means for maintainfor the top of saidstock.loadsaid means being responsive to the positioningv of the lastmeans for placing material on said stacking skid while it is positionedabove said platform, and means for evening the two sides of said stockload, whereby a tier,` of said material may be stacked within laterallimits on said stock load by reciprocation of said loading skid.v

8. A stacker comprising an inclined loading skid reciprocable above andto one side of a )stock load, an elevator for maintaining a.substantially constant- 4stacking level for' tiers of their topsurfacewhen the `skids are positioning of the last` portionvof saidtier,

stacking of the last portion of said tier on saidl e stock load.

9. A stacker comprising an apron, a loading Askid above a stack load andhaving a surface asV an extension of the surface of said apron, anelevator, means whereby said skid is reciprocable beneath said apron andabove said elevator, a stop means dividing the surfaces of said apronand said skid, and adapted to hold a tier of material on said apron,means for release of said tier to said skid, means for the reciprocationof said skidmeans for the control of the movement of saidelevatorplatform, said means being actuated byv stacking said tier on astock load on said elevator, and means for actuating reciprocation ofsaid skid, whereby said tier is stacked on said stock load.

10.v A stacker comprising an inclined loading skid, consisting of aplurality of skid arms, reciprocable above and to one side of a stockload, an elevatorhaving a platform, an inclined apron having a surfaceas an extension of the surface of said skid while it is above saidplatform, means for alternately holding a tier of lumber on said apronand releasing it to said skid, means for actuating reciprocation of saidskid, means for the control of the movement of said elevator platformwhich is adapted to receive a. stock load, sticker guides on two sidesof said stock load and extending above the top surfaces of said skidwhen it is above said elevator platform and means comprising anextension on a plurality of said skid arms, whereby the successive tiersof one of the sides of said stock load are substantially verticallyaligned in the stacking operation.

11. A stacker comprising an inclined loading skid, an elevator having aplatform, an inclined apron having a surface as an extension of thesurface of said skid while it is above said platform, a movable stopmeans at the lower 'edge of said apron, means for the reciprocation oi'said skid lbeneath said apron alternately above and to one side of saidstock load. control means for the control of the movement of saidelevator platform, which is adapted to receive a stock load, saidcontrol means being actuated by the stacking thereon of a tier ofmaterial, sticker guides on opposite sides of said elevator platformindependent of said skid and extending above the surface of said skidwhen said skid is above said stock load, said guides defining laterallimits for the sides of said stock load, pullback means actuated by thereciprocation of said skid, whereby said material is stacked on the topof said stock load:

l2. In a stacker an inclined apron, a movable stop at the lower edge ofsaid apron, a 'loading skid comprising a plurality of inclined skidarms, means for reciprocation of said loading skid underneath said apronand above a stock load an elevator operatively substantially constantstacking level for said stock load, means of actuating said stop torelease a tier from said apron to said skid when it is above saidelevator, stop means at the two sides of said skid, pullback means onthe edge o! said'skid opposite said apron when above said stock load forcausing a portion of material thereon in each reciprocation to be pulledagainst one mounted for maintaining a Y Y. stop members for tiers frame,an inclined stacking skid above said frame, said sticker guidesextending above the lower skid beneath said v tion of said tieragainstthe stop 2,065,873 of said stop means, thus depositing materialon the stock load within the same lateral limits, in each reciprocationof said skid.

13. In a lumber stacker the combination of a.

vertically movable platform, a plurality of skid arms comprising astacking skid, an inclined apron elevated at one side of said platform,said stacking skid being reciprocable alternately above said platformand beneath said apron, sticker guides on a horizontal frame on oppositesides of said platform, said guides comprising stops for tiers ofmaterial of a stock load, control means for the release of a tier fromsaid apron, and controllable means for the reciprocation of said skid.

14. In a stacker, a horizontal frame having sticker guides on two sidesthereof serving as of a stock load within said end of said skid whensaid skid is above said frame, means for reciprocating said skidalternately above and to one side of said frame beyond said stops ontw'o sides thereof respectively, 'and means for lpulling a portion ofsaid tier against the stop on one side of said load, whereby said tieris stacked on said stock load.

15. In a stacker, a horizontal frame, Vstop members on two sides thereoffor tiers of a. stock load, an elevator beneath said frame adapted forsupporting the stock load, an actuating switch controlling the movementof said elevatorand having a trigger in front of one of said stops, aninclined stacking skid above said elevator, means for supplyinga tier oflumber on said skid, means for reciprocating said skid alternately abovesaid load and to one sidethereof whereby said tier is stacked on saidstock load, means for pulling a portion of said tieragainst said stopand said trigger on one side of said load', thereby evening one side ofthe stock load and actuating said elevator to maintain a substantiallyconstant stacking level substantially as speciiled.

16. In a stacker, la 4horizontal frame having sticker guides, stopmembers ontwo sides thereof for tiers of a stock load, an inclined apronhigher than and to one side of said frame, areciprocating inclinedloading skid above said frame, means for releasinga tier of lumber fromsaid apron to said skid, means for retracting said apron whereby saidtier is stacked on said stock load against stop members on one side ofsaid load, means for pullingja pormembers on the other side of saidload, and .means for the positioning of said skid for stacking anothertier,

17. In a stacker the combination of an elevated inclined apron havingmeans for measuring and holding atier, an inclined skidreciprocable'below said apron and to one side thereof above a stock loadan elevator providing support for said stock load,v a horizontal framevon two sides of lower than said skid, said frame having stop membersextending above the top surface of said skidwhen the skid is above saidelevator, means actuated at the side of said frame opposite the saidapron for releasing a tier from said apron onto said skid when the skidis above said stock load, means for retracting said skid under saidapron, means for lowerlumber comprising a ing said elevator to maintainthe constant level of the top of said load, andmeans for` moving saidskid forward above said load.

18. In a stacker an elevated material supply means on one side of astock load, an inclined skid reciprocable below said supply means and toone side thereof above sai stock load supported by an elevator, ahorizontal frame on two sides of said elevator below said skid, saidframe having stop members extending above the top surface of said skid,-for dening lateral limits for said stock load, means controlled at theside of said frame opposite said supply means for the reciprooation ofsaid skid, and means for evening the side of the load` last stacked.

19. In a stacker the combination of an elevated inclined apron havingmeans for .measuring and holding a. tier, an inclined skid reciprocablebelow said apron and to onoside thereof above a stock load, an elevatorfor maintaining the-top ,of said stock load at a substantially constantsaid load, means for retracting said skid under said apron, means forevening the side of the load last-stacked, means for llowering saidelevator to maintain the constant level of the top of said load, andmeans for moving said skid forward above said load.

20. The method of stacking which consists of successively measuring atier of lumber comprising a plurality of boards on an inclined apron, ofreleasing said tier to an inclined skid while said skid is above a stockload, of placing said tier with boards substantially edge to edgeon'said stock load, and simultaneously therewith, of measuring anothertier on said apror) of rpulling back a portion of said tier against astop to even one side of `the load and to maintain a substantiallyconstant load level, and then of repeating the operation,

2,1. The method of stacking which consists of successively measuring atier of random width plurality of boards. on an inclined apron, ofreleasing said tier to an inclined skid while said skid is above a stockload,

of placing said tier with-boards substantially edge to edge on saidstock load, and simultaneously therewith, of measuring another tier on.said apron, of pulling back a portion 'of said tier against a stop to.even one side of the load and to maintain a substantially constant loadlevel, of placing stickers on said tier and then of repeating ,theoperation.

22.,.1n a stacker having an elevator for maintaining the top of a stockload ata substantially uniform stacking level, the combination of, a.supply apron, a stacking skid, means for reciprocation of said skidalternately above said lloadanil .to one side thereof beneath Vsaidapron, al stop for variable widthtiers of stock on-one side ofv saidelevator, and means for regulating the width of said load regardless ofthe width of .the tier. y ALBERT THORNTON F'Y,y JR.

